Question 1) Which things do students learn in these classes?
Answer)
• Gurmukhi: Listening (Understanding), Reading, Writing and Speaking.
• Sikh history
• How to tie dumalla
• How to read and understand Gurbani
• Sikh rehat maryada (Rules of Sikh religion).
Question 2) Is there any eligibility criteria to be able to join these classes?
Answer) Any person can join these classes but there are only two conditions which need to be fulfilled:
• Age of applicant should be more than 4.
• Applicant should be able to communicate in at least one of these languages: English, Punjabi, Hindi.
Question 3) Are these classes going to be expanded to the cities surrounding Terrace, BC or other parts of Canada?
Answer) No. Classes will be provided at Gurdwara Miri Piri Khalsa Darbar, Walsh Ave, Terrace only.
Question 4) Can tuition fee be paid annually?
Answer) Yes. Fees can be paid annually in advance.
Question 5) What are timings of classes?
Answer) Classes are provided on Saturdays and Sundays.
Saturday: 2pm- 5pm.
Sunday: 9am- 12pm.
Saturdays’ classes are revision sessions for perfection. New things are taught on Sundays only.
Question 6) Who are competitors in this market?
Answer) Learning Gurmukhi currently has no competitor in the local market.
Question 7) How many classrooms/ students/ teachers are going to be there in future in these classes?
Answer) Classes will be provided in a hall at Gurdwara Miri Piri Khalsa Darbar with a seating capacity of 100. Number of students is expected to increase in future but that will lead to creation of more batches and student limit in a batch will remain consistent to maintain high quality of classes. There will be same teacher for all batches (Number of teachers is not going to be increased) but some assistants may be hired.
Question 8) What are prospective earnings from these classes?
Answers) Earnings are expected to be consistent or increase in the upcoming years.
Question 9) What is duration of course?
Answers) It depends on:
• the level of Gurmukhi an applicant knows at time of joining classes.
• what kind of user of Gurmukhi the student wants to be: modest/ competent/ good/ very good/ expert user.
Duration of course can vary between 3 months to 2 years.
Question 10) Is there any kind of certificate provided?
Answer) Yes, certificate is provided at completion of course with a label mentioning what level of Gurmukhi usage the student has achieved.
Question 11) Is there any part in these classes which is troubling?
Answer) No.
Question 12) What is difference between Punjabi and Gurmukhi?
Answer) Punjabi is a language and Gurmukhi is the script used to write Punjabi language.
Question 13) What is the connection between learning Gurmukhi and learning how to tie a dumalla?
Answer) Two components play a vital role in identification of a baptized Sikh:
- Baani (Gurbani/ Hymns written in holy scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
- Bana (Traditional attire of baptized Sikhs).
Baani can be made a part of life only if the person knows how to read and understand Gurmukhi. On the other hand, dumalla is one of main components of bana.
As one of our aims is to increase bonding of our students with Sikhism and teach them how to live life as baptized Sikhs, dumalla lessons have been added to Gurmukhi classes.
Question 14) Why is Gurdwara Miri Piri Khalsa Darbar providing space and other facilities for these classes free of cost?
Answer) Gurdwara is providing a number of facilities so that more students can join these classes because students of our classes are going to be aware of Sikh history and inspired to live life according to Sikhism which is one of the purposes of gatherings and prayers at Gurdwara.
Question 15) Majority of people in Terrace are English speakers, then why would these people learn Gurmukhi? What benefit will they get by joining these classes?
Answer) Undoubtedly, learning Gurmukhi will make our students capable to communicate with Punjabi speaking people. These classes are not intended to teach Gurmukhi as a mode of communication only but also to create a connection with Guru Granth Sahib Ji and to learn about Sikh history. Getting attached with Guru Granth Sahib Ji makes one emotionally and spiritually strong. Moreover, it enlightens followers of Guru Granth Sahib Ji about purpose of life, moral values, bravery, honesty, truth, love, loyalty, empathy, brotherhood and many other things which fill life with positive energy.
Question 16) Why will people other than Indian people join these classes?
Answer) Our purpose is to attach more and more people with Gurmukhi so that they can get connected with Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Blessings of Guru Granth Sahib Ji (emotional strength, spiritual strength and life full of values and good actions) should be enjoyed by everyone irrespective of nationality and community.